Our View: A tale of 2 16-year-olds

Sept. 14, 2013

The Northwest Herald Editorial Board offers this week’s thumbs up and thumbs down:

Thumbs up: To 16-year-old Wauconda resident Megan Ringel for her actions Aug. 16 while visiting a friend in McHenry. Ringel, a high school junior, used the CPR training she never expected to use on a man in distress before rescue workers arrived. Officials said the man would not have survived had it not been for Ringel’s quick-thinking actions. Many adults, who like Ringel had never used CPR in a real emergency situation, might have froze in the situation, but Ringel had the confidence to do what she could. That decision was appropriately honored this week by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department, which awarded Ringel as the youngest recipient of the department’s Citizen’s Lifesaving Award.

Thumbs down: To the 16-year-old Huntley boy who was caught driving 100 mph on Coyne Station Road in unincorporated Huntley. Driving is a privilege and, when done recklessly, can kill people. It’s beyond disappointing to see a new teenage driver show such disregard for the rules of the road and risk people’s lives, including his. We are thankful the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department pulled over the driver before someone got hurt.

Thumbs up: To the Johnsburg football team, for not allowing 24 consecutive losses to deflate its spirit. The Skyhawks continue to show up on game night ready to compete. They fight until the end. And, ultimately, the losing streak will end. But they understand that the point isn’t only victories, it’s learning to be winners. We think they’re doing a good job at that.

Thumbs down: To the state and federal government for not yet knowing which companies will offer plans or what the policies will cost for the Health Care Insurance Marketplace. It’s set to open Oct. 1, with a goal of getting those without insurance covered. It’s a key part of the federal Affordable Care Act, but it’s likely information about policies and pricing won’t become available until the day it opens. The uncertainty about this aspect of the sweeping health care reform law is vexing to those who are trying to plan, such as the uninsured and business owners.